Emma Jean Kinnamon, 88 of Aledo, died Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at Arcadia of Aledo. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Saturday, January 25, with visitation one hour prior to services at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Burial will be in Candor Cemetery, rural Aledo. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Emma Jean was born on July 29, 1936, on the family farm near Seaton, Illinois, to Harry Dodson and Martha Marie (Davis) Bird. Jean graduated from Western Illinois University with her teaching degree. She married Donald K. Kinnamon on August 18, 1962, in Seaton. He preceded her in death on November 20, 1990.
Jean was a devoted educator, teaching in Toledo, Oregon, and Galesburg. Jean was a member of College Avenue Presbyterian Church, Mercer County Extension, Women for Women of Mercer County, and the William Dennison Chapter of NSDAR. She also volunteered with the Essley Noble Museum and Mercer County Hospital Auxiliary Gift Shop.
Jean loved spending time with her family, especially farm picnics, birthday parties, and any reason to get together. She spent time on the church session and taught vacation bible school. Jean enjoyed doing puzzles and reading. She never missed her daily devotional.
Jean is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and John Saporta and granddaughter, Zoe Saporta, all of Madison, WI; brother, Robert Bird of Seaton; and nieces and nephew, Vicki and Cliff Darwin, Connie Jensen, Robert and Rita Bird, Julie and Robert Jarvis, Pat Ward, and Jim Brown. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; infant brother, Billy Bird; granddaughter, Anna Saporta; sister, Rita Mae Phenicie; and niece, Jean Clingan.